contact lenses and pilots

[Young_Turk]

hi. would love aviators to pitch in their opinions about pilots wearing contacts on flight duties. would this in any way dry up eyes and cause any significant damage? would love it if medicos could also put their two penny's worth on this topic.
cheers

[Vee One...Rotate]

Disclaimer: I'm a lowly-PPL student so only fly little props at a few thousand feet.

I wear contact lenses when flying and have had no problems at all. I like the all-round vision and the lack of trying to faff with glasses and a headset.

I posted a similar question to pro pilots awhile back and the consensus was that, on the whole, most people had no real problems. Run a search and you might find it...

Good luck,

V1R

[chipmunkj]

I have flown light aircraft (PPL) and been cabin crew for over 30 years--always worn soft lenses--never had a problem!!
Best lenses i have ever had are the "daily disposables" which i have worn for the last few years.

[bluefin]

Lenses

i agree with you
piolts should be allowed to fly if they are wearing contact lenses
but on the other hand contact lenses have their disadvantages like lenses falling off as a result the people might also fall off
so thats the problem with contact lenses

[Bootylicious]

Ummmmmm, pilots already can fly whilst wearing contact lenses.

And sorry to be picky, but what the hell are you going on about when you say "people might also fall off"?!?!?!?

[Beagle-eye]

Towards the end of my flying career I was prescribed corrective reading glasses. My medical certificate had the instruction that I must always carry a spare pair of glasses.

Don’t fly as PIC now but do wear lenses. Anybody know if lens wearing aircrew must carry spare lenses ?

[Non Normal]

but on the other hand contact lenses have their disadvantages like lenses falling off as a result the people might also fall off
so thats the problem with contact lenses

Glasses fall off too. In fact, if you have a crash, they can fly off (or you can hurt yourself with the frame just picking things up off the floor - easy thing to do), whereas contact lenses normally don't fly off. I don't know what you mean by saying "People might also fall off"?

Some people have a problem with contact lenses because the air in the cabin (particularly pressurised cabin) is very dry and they get dry eyes as a result (which tends to be more harsh for those with contact lenses). However, I do carry moisturising eyedrops that are compatible with contact lenses with me at all times, just in case I get dry eyes. I also carry a pair of spectacles just in case, too. It's hardly easy to put the contact lens in during flight (fine as a passenger, but not easy while one is trying to fly).

Personally, I haven't had any problem wearing contact lenses at all in pressurised (as a passenger) or non-pressurised (passenger and pilot) aircraft. I find them much better than wearing glasses because I don't have to worry about glare, dropping it or smudging it.

[chipmunkj]

I have worn soft lenses for over 30 years and have never had one fall out. If you drink enough and keep yourself hydrated you should not have any problems with the lenses drying out.
I do have to carry a spare pair of glasses when i fly (PPL) but have never had to use them.

[AerocatS2A]

I also have not had any contacts "fall out". I have flown as crew and passenger on pressurised aircraft and although there is some drying of the eyes, it is not significant for me.

Australian regs are that spare specs must be carried.

I use extended wear contacts that last a month and can be left in the eyes overnight so I don't need to worry about taking them out every night.